Candidate Is Arrested Near Capitol

TALLAHASSEE -- Bret Anderson, a self-styled political candidate from West Palm Beach, was arrested and held for psychiatric evaluation after an incident at the Capitol, authorities said on Thursday.

Anderson, 22, was charged on Tuesday for driving with a suspended driver`s license after stopping earlier at Gov. Bob Martinez`s office to say he wanted to apply for the commissioner`s post at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Anderson, who changed his last name from Bednar in November, was arrested and hospitalized in January 1987 after threatening Martinez, authorities said.

Security agents performed a background check on Anderson after he left the governor`s office ``irritated and somewhat flustered`` on Tuesday morning, according to reports.

The check revealed Anderson had a suspended driver`s license. Agents arrested him outside the Capitol when he drove up that afternoon.

Anderson was sent to Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center for evaluation, said Bob Scharlau, deputy director of the FDLE, which provides protection for the governor.

Anderson has declared himself a Democratic candidate running against state Sen. William ``Doc`` Myers, R-Hobe Sound. Earlier this year, Anderson had announced that he would seek a County Commission seat before directing his attention to the Senate.

In the past, Anderson has run for state Senate and House seats as ``Bret Bednar,`` but he withdrew from each of those races.